Trolley-wire switch



v I 2 Sheets-Shet 1. S. D. GUSHMAN. TROLLEY WIRE SWITCH.

(No Model.)

No; 562,356. Patnted June 16, 1896.

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2 sheets-4118a 2.

(No Model.)

s. D. OIJSHMAN; TROLLEY WIRE SWITCH.

Pa te-ntedJu ne 16, 1896;

NllED STATES ATENT Enron.

" SYLVANUS DUSTIN CUSHMAN, OFAKRON, OHIO.

TROLLEY-WIRE SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,356, dated June 16, 1896.

Application filed February 25,1896. Serial No. 580,655. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SYLVANUS DUSTIN CUSHMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented'a certain new and useful Improvement in Trolley -Wire Switches, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention has relation to improvements in switches for overhead trolley-wires, and it has especial reference to that class of switches that are adapted to be actuated in one direction by the trolley immediately on entering or leaving the switch.

The objects of my invention are to produce a new and effective switch of the class designated, which shall be simple in construction and accurate in operation, and that can be readily and securely placed and fastened in position without cutting the trolley-wire.

. To the aforesaid purposes my invention consists in the peculiar and novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification;

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views, Figure 1 is a perspective View of one form of my improved trol1ey-wire switch as it stands normally for the trolley to enter from the main wire to the right-hand switch -wire-; Fig. 2, a similar View of the switch swung to permit the trolley to leave the switch and enter the main line; Fig. 3, an enlarged view of the liftinghood; Fig. 4, a similar view of a part of the switch-frame, showing the stop for the hood; Fig. 5, a similar view of the rocking slotted arm, arm, link, and Weight to swing the switch-bar, the latter in cross-section; Fig. 6, a similar view of the switch-frame in section at the line x as of Fig. 1; Fig. 7, a similar view of the pivoted end of the switchtongue; Fig. 8, a similar view of the liftinghood, link, and part of the switch frame; Fig. 9, a perspective view of a slightly-modified construction of the switch as it stands normally for the trolley to enter the switch, and Fig. 10 a similar view of the same swung to permit the trolley to leave the switch.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8, 1 is the main or line wire, and 2 the switch-wire, which is united with the main wire by a solder or other preferred joint in the space indicated in the break 3, one wire only, the switch-wire, being out, the other or normal wire being continuous.

The switch-frame consists of rod 4, slightly exceeding in size the trolley-wire, bent abruptly upward at the point 5, and thence bent again forward parallel with its former direc' tion until it encounters and enters an arch or curved rod 6, the lower ends of which unite with two rods 7 8, similar to rod 4.

The terminals of the rods 4 7 8 are provided with split malleable jaws 9 1O 11, adapted to be compressed about and clasp the wire. Studs 12 12 12 extend from each side of the bent part of the rod 4 and arch 6 to form supports for and assist in retaining the line and switch wires on the frame.

In the angle of the rod 4 at the point 5 is an orifice 13, in whichfreely rests the reduced end of the switch-tongue 14, the forward end being attached to and supported by the rock ing lever 15. This lever has a slotted opening 16 near its center to inclose the raised part of the rod 4, and is pivoted to an arm that rises from the arch 6.

From the upper end of the lever 15, integral therewith, and extending at substantially a right angle.therefrom,is an arm 16, to which is pivoted a link 17, its lower end being pivotally connected with one side of the larger end of the hood 18. This hood consists of a tapering sheet of metal, bent to form a conical cover, its smaller end having the sides extended and closed to clasp the rod 7, its position on said rod being retained bya stop or stud 19.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the tongue 14 is normally held, by means of the lever 15, link 17, and the weight of the hood 18, with its free end in alinement with the end of the rod 8, and hence the trolley approaching from the line 1 will follow the frame 4 to the tongue 14, and along the tongue 14 to and onto the rod 8, and thence onto the line2. Returning on the line 1, it will engage and raise the hood 18, and thereby, by the mechanism just described, rock the tongue 14 to and'in aline- IOO ment with the rod 7, thus permitting the return of the trolley to the main or line wire.

I11 the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10, where the parts are similar, the same reference-numerals are retained, viz: 1 is the main line; 2, the switch-wire; 3, the break where the switchwire is connected with the main line; 4, the switch-frame; 5, the abrupt angle in the frame where the pivot-hole is located. 6 is the arch; 7 8, the switch end terminals of the frame; 9 1O 11, the malleable jaws to be bent around and clasp the wires; 12, the studs to support the wires on the frame; 13, the pivot-hole for the tongue; 14, the tongue; 17, the link; 18, the hood, and 19 the stop or stud on the rod 8 to hold the hood. In this construction the arch 6 is somewhat higher, and has no post or supporting-arm rising above it,but instead thereof the rod 4 either passes directly through and beyond it to form a pivot for the rocking lever, ora separate pivot 20 is constructed on the frame, and on this is pivoted a lever 21, integrally connected with the tongue 14, and having its upper end bent to one side,and provided with a weight 22, that serves to hold the tongue 14 normally in alinement with one terminal 7 of the frame, and connected with the hood 18 by the link 17. The operation is similar to the construction heretofore described.

In applying this switch the switch-wire is laid beside the trolley-wire and its ends united therewith, as before stated. The frame is then placed under them and attached to the main wire by the clamp 9. The switch and line wires are then separated and the frame raised between them with the wires resting on either side on the studs 12. The main and switch wires are then brought into the clamps 1O 11, respectively, and secured by compressing the clamps.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a trolley-wire switch, the combination with a frame having a single terminal for the line-wire, and two terminals for the switchwires; the ends of the switch-terminals united with each other, and by a raised part, with the line-wire terminal, of a rocking tongue pivotally connected with the line-wire terminal, supported at its free end by a rocking lever, and adapted to swing in alinement with the ends of the switch-terminals a weight to normally retain said free end in alinement with one of said switch-terminals, and a lifting hood on one of said switch-terminals connected with said rocking lever by a link, and adapted to be raised by the trolley and rock said tongue in alinement with the other switch-terminal, substantially as shown and described.

2. An improved trolley-wire switch having line and switch wire terminals, and a rocking tongue to bring either switch-terminal in alinement with the main terminal, of clasps on said terminals to fasten them to the wires, and studs to support said wires on either side, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with theline and switch Wire terminals and the rocking tongue, of the rocking slotted lever to inclose and swing said tongue and the weighted arm to rock said lever, all constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described.

4. In a trolley-wire switch, the combination with main and switch terminals, and a rocking tongue having a lever to sustain and rock its free end, of a hood pivotally connected at one end with one switch-terminal, its free end adapted to be raised by the trolley, and, by means of a link, to swing said lever and rock said tongue, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a trolley-switch, the combination with main and switch terminals, of an intermediate rocking tongue to unite said main terminal with either switch-terminal, and mechanism, such substantially as described, adapted to be actuated by the trolley and rock said tongue in alinement with the terminal on which it approaches said tongue substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the above I hereunto set my hand.

SYLVANUS DUSTIN CUSHHAN.

In presence of C. E. IIUMPHREY, O. P. I'IUMPHREY. 

